Deaths caused by lightning
Lifschultz, B.D.; Donoghue, E.R.
Journal of Forensic Sciences 38(2): 353-358
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1198 PMID: 8454996 Document Number: 420476
Though a rare cause of death, lightning is reported to be responsible for more fatalities each year in this country than any other type of natural disaster. Lightning injuries differ significantly from other high voltage electrical injuries because of the high current flow, but extremely short duration, of the lightning stroke. We present a series of cases over the period of 1985 to 1991 in Cook County, Illinois (USA) in which lightning was the direct cause of death. Our discussion reviews the natural of lightning, the effects it may have on humans, and the ways in which deaths due to lightning might be prevented.